DS 160 Mistakes: How to deal with it

I got lots of queries with respect to making changes in DS 160 form after submitting it. Many students were confused as to what needs to be done if they submit DS 160 form with errors or they wish to join some other University after they submit the DS 160 form. This post will entirely focus on how to deal with the mistakes made in DS 160 form. So I would suggest to go through the post entirely to get an idea as to how to deal with this situation.

Mistakes In DS 160

1) Gender Mistake

It may sound silly, but if you have made a mistake with respect to choose a Gender, then you need to fill out a new DS 160 form all over again.

2) Purpose of Travel Mistake

If you have made a mistake while filing the Purpose of Travel option, then you need to fill out a new DS 160 form all over again.

3) Passport Number / First or Last Names / Address / Phone Number Mistakes

If you have made a mistake in one of these questions then you can correct the incorrect information in the form. If you cannot make changes in the form then on the day of the interview you should inform the person receiving your documents about the mistake. No need to again fill DS 160 form, but just try to make the corrections or inform the Visa Officer about the errors and inform the changes to be made.

4) Education / Family / Travel / Security Question Mistakes

If you have made a mistake in one of these questions enlisted, then you need to fill out a new DS 160 form all over again.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q. What can be done if the Student has booked the Visa Interview slot and then realizes the mistakes or need to do certain changes in the DS 160 form? What to do now?

A. The answer to this question is broken into several parts:

Firstly, if the DS 160 form is submitted the student cannot make any changes int he application. The only way to make the changes is to fill a new DS 160 form and submit it. This would generate a new bar code which must be taken on the day of your Visa Interview.

There are two ways to deal with this problem

Either student can cancel the interview, fill the new DS 160 form and schedule the new Visa Interview again or the student can again fill a new DS 160 and present the confirmation pages of new and original DS-160, as each submission creates a different barcode.

Again rephrasing: If you have made a mistake in entering the Passport Number or First/Last name or Phone Number or Address then on the day of the interview you should inform the person receiving your documents about the mistake. No need to again fill DS 160 form, but just try to make the corrections or inform the Visa Officer about the errors and inform the changes to be made.

In the next post I will provide you the ways in which you can try to rectify the errors in the DS 160 form.

24 thoughts on “DS 160 Mistakes: How to deal with it”

Please tell me how do i proceed in this scenario:
I have booked a visa slot for the 22nd of July and now, I have to change my University. Someone told me that this is what needs to be done.
1) Fill anew ds160 form.
2) Transfer sevis record.

I dont know what transferring sevis record means. Does it mean that i need to enter the new DS form number in the sevis form? How do i change it?

I have given wrong date in travel section while filling ds-160.I have given..willing to enter USA on 30th dec…but i would like to enter into usa prior to that date.My university classes starts on jan 4th.I had already submitted and schduled the interview date.Please let me how can i figure out this mistake.

Hi, I have my submitted the DS 160 form and scheduled an appointment for visa interview. My I-20 has wrong course of study updated. I received the corrected I – 20 after submitting DS 160 and scheduling the interview. please suggest me what i should do to change the major?

I made a mistake in mentioning university address in DS 160. Instead of writing university address as written on I 20 , I wrote the one found on internet. Is it a big mistake? I already took visa appointment.

I made a mistake in entering my course name in DS 160. Instead of masters in information technology I filled management information systems. I have not yet booked the interview but have already paid the interview fee of $160. What should be my course of action?

I have scheduled my appointment for B2 visa and it’s two days from now..but I am also rejected by Norway embassy for study permit..but mistakenly it was provided as ‘no’ in the form submitted which I realized now..what should I do now??plz help

I have filled wrong home address and passport expiration date in my application and selected interview date for 27th June, 2016. Can I click on retrieve application and fill a new form. It will change my application number but what if I take both the forms on the day of the interview. And do you have to make the payment again?

I did not specifically mentioned my 10th 11th and 12th in the form. I did a stupid thing, I generally specified my school’s name and in which I gave duration as 1995 to 2009. A blunder. What should I do?

Can u please let me know whether we can book an appointment in a different consulate as compared to the location we choose while filling the DS-160 application. Should I fill another DS-160? I have made the payment but yet to book an appointment.

I have my VISA interview tomorrow.
I have a doubt on the information i have provided for the Major am going to study. In my I20 it is Computer Systems Analyst. But i may have given it as Management Information System.
Do i need to tell my VO this during the interview to correct it? Or do i need to fill a new DS 160?

Hello
I have done with B1 VISA interview and got 221G white to submit CV and Transcripts.
While sending those I realized,there was a mistake in DS 160 of My higher educational studies duration (2015-2017) but it should be (2013-2015).
Please help me out is there any chance to change or any way to inform to US Consulate

This is to inform you that by mistake my email id has been registered in the last name section of the appointment confirmation page and now it cannot be changed.
Please suggest me what will happen in this case.

Made a mistake regarding the issuing authority of my passport. Instead of putting the name of the consulate that processed my passport I put my country’s name as the issuing authority. Is it necessary to change it or I can just explain it to the person in the embassy?